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Here at the Micro Angelfish Hatchery we define Husbandry as the scientific control and management practices in raising, breeding and cultivating in aquaculture and in particular Angelfish. Husbandry is the foundation of Angelfish culture. For commercial success, an Angelfish hatchery must maintain fish at densities that greatly exceed those normally found in nature. Here at the Angelfish Micro Hatchery these same stocking rates guarantee us success too as hobbyist.  Under these controlled conditions fish not only survive, but grow rapidly and thrive. It is imperative that the hobbyist maintain an environment conducive to good fish health.

¹ A wide variety of parasites and pathogens can and do infect fish. Most disease agents are naturally present in low numbers and normally do not cause problems. The natural defense mechanisms of fish such as undamaged skin, mucus covering the skin, and various components of the immune system keep disease agents in check. However, when fish already crowded in high culture operations are further stressed by low dissolved oxygen, nutritionally inadequate feeds and excessive handling their natural disease defense systems may be weakened and the ability of the fish to protect itself against infectious diseases maybe reduced. Disease induced catastrophic mortalities are frequently the result of and response to a stressful experience. Most disease problems can be avoided with proper management or husbandry.

In your Angelfish Micro Hatchery it is best to avoid disease. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here at the Angelfish Micro Hatchery you won't find any advice on medications. Visit our General Angelfish Information page for to links to Diseases and Medications on other sites. What you will find here are techniques, strategies and methods related to husbandry in Angelfishculture.

Angelfish, like all fish are aquatic animals and live in water. Water provides the oxygen they breath, the food they eat, and the means to dispose of their wastes; carbon dioxide, urine and feces. The quality of the water determines how well the fish will grow and, indeed, if they will even survive. Maintenance of suitable water quality greatly reduces the likelihood of a disease problem. Critical water quality parameters must be maintained. Avoid sudden and dramatic shifts in temperature and PH. Avoid a lack of sufficient dissolved oxygen, extreme alkalinity, hardness, nitrogenous wastes, unionized ammonia, NH3 and nitrites, N02 , and the presence of toxic substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, and carbon dioxide. Many of these parameters are interrelated. Ph for instance, as Ph and temperature increase the proportion of Total Ammonia Nitrogen (TAN) in the toxic unionized form (NH3 ) increases. Water quality should be monitored frequently and corrective measures initiated if conditions become stressful.

Use of a high quality feed provides fish with the nutrients that they need to remain healthy and to grow rapidly. Fish fed a nutritionally complete diet are better able to cope with stress and to resist disease. Culturists should remember that even high quality feeds will deteriorate if improperly stored or kept too long. Feed should be purchased from a reputable supplier, stored in a cool and dry place, and used within 90 days of manufacture.

Light (excessive or rapid changes in intensity), noise and other disturbances can stress fish and should be minimized. Routine maintenance, stocking and harvesting require that fish be handled. When fish are handled, moved, or transported they compensate physiologically. Reduce the trauma of handling whenever possible make sure all necessary materials such as nets, specimen containers and tools are clean.  Handle the fish gently and for as short a time as possible. If possible, do not handle fish that are already stressed or when environmental conditions are marginal.

Regardless of how careful one is, if fish are cultured long enough most aquarist will inevitably encounter a disease problem. When a disease problem develops, a quick and effective response is essential. There is no better preparation than to know your fish. Under routine aquaculture conditions, healthy fish display “normal” behavior. Fish will feed vigorously when food is presented. It is important for the aquarist to note the feeding behavior of their fish. A reduced feeding activity should serve notice to the aqua culturists that immediate and further investigation for the cause is warranted.

In your Angelfish Micro Hatchery, you should become familiar with the normal behavior of your Angelfish. If their behavior changes such as they stop feeding, swim near the water surface, dart or scratch on objects, something has occurred and you need to find out what. The first sign of a disease is abnormal behavior.

Routine monitoring of water quality in a Angelfish Micro Hatchery is imperative. When abnormal fish behavior is observed, hobbyist should check their water quality and perform a water change. Check the for the level of nitrates  present and temperature. If water quality is a problem such as high unionized ammonia then corrective measures should be initiated immediately. If abnormal behavior persists for several days or mortality is observed, hobbyist should seek assistance. ¹ The Angelfish Micro Hatchery suggest you visit the Resources section of this site.

Every Angelfish Micro Hatchery is different. Each must be managed to meet its specific requirements needed to successfully breed Angelfish. The Angelfish Micro Hatchery utilizes a system of hatchery management. This system allows the hobbyist to discover a baseline for water quality at their individual micro hatchery, continually improve their husbandry,  benefit from increased efficiently and achieve success. Here at the Angelfish Micro Hatchery we call this system integrated hatchery management.

Husbandry and in particular cleaning may be one area that the hobbyist in their own Angelfish Micro Hatchery can actually exceed the performance of large hatcheries. Many larger hatcheries are actually strained by the amount of labor required. They are constantly in search of labor and cost saving methods. The amount of labor required to maintain a hatchery that breeds several varieties of Angelfish at once is demanding. Sometimes hobbyist find themselves overwhelmed by the amount home space, tank space, time, and routine labor needed to do so. If they are unable to provide the husbandry required they may find themselves not enjoying successful Angelfish culture. Husbandry should never be compromised and cleaned tanks in particular.

Here at the Angelfish Micro Hatchery we focus on raising and breeding the offspring of one strain of Angelfish at a time. Although the tanks in an individual Angelfish Micro Hatchery may actually house more than one breeding pair and variety of Angelfish. The Angelfish Micro Hatchery's goal is serve those who wish to breed generations of Angelfish. This focus allows a planned management of time and resources often resulting in excellent husbandry and enjoyable successful Angelfish culture. We don't suggest that every hobbyist must restrict their hatchery to breeding only one variety of Angelfish. Many hobbyist who consider themselves proud owners of Angelfish Micro Hatcheries do breed more than one variety of Angelfish at a time but compared to commercial hatcheries, their operations are very small. But in terms of a home based hobby, their involvement may be substantial. Some hobbyist are only a few tanks away from having a full blown hatchery in their homes. The Angelfish Micro Hatchery purpose is to provide the hobbyist who wishes to have only a few tanks comprising their hatchery that is located in a room or two in their home, the knowledge necessary for successful Angelfish culture. This site is not directed to those hobbyist who desire to setup and operate fish rooms. Although Angelfish fish room owners often profit from the same from the information contained in this site and are welcomed to do so here.

All hatcheries must maintain clean water, stocking containers, appliances and tools. Angelfish Micro Hatcheries must provide at least the same level of cleanliness and have the potential to out perform commercial hatcheries. Clean water is accomplished by performing Water Changes. Here in the Angelfish Micro Hatchery all glass bare bottom tanks are the preferred choice as a stocking containers. They may kept spotlessly cleaned with a minimum of water changes, labor and tools. Appliances, such as heaters, lighting, filters, associated pumps and air and water lines must also be kept clean.  Tools are similar to appliances. Often, it's easier to replace them when they become worn. Otherwise, they are often very easy to keep as clean as necessary.

Clean water is the primary result of good husbandry and is accomplished by performing Water Changes . It is impossible for any tank in an Angelfish Micro Hatchery that has access safe drinking water and that has had effective husbandry performed to have foul water. Water changes are a fundamental component of husbandry. Husbandry will prevent water from becoming foul. Please see our Water Change page.

Glass bare bottom tanks are the preferred choice as stocking containers because they can be easily maintained consistently clean. Anything that settles on the bottom of the tank can be easily seen and removed by siphoning or netting. Remove any uneaten food or waste from the bottom of the tanks 30 minutes after feeding stock whenever possible or at least once daily. Wipe the insides of all tanks periodically as necessary with an algae removal pad. Polish the outside glass as necessary to enhance your viewing pleasure.

Appliances, such as heaters , lighting , filters , associated pumps and air and water lines must also be kept clean. Most appliances recommended at the Angelfish Micro Hatchery are low or maintenance free. Sometimes it's easier to replace some components than to repair them. Often little is required to clean them other than rinsing or wiping with an algae removal pad and paper towels.

Heaters require little maintenance other than an occasional wiping. Tank temperatures should be monitored to insure all heaters are maintaining temperatures consistently. Heaters should be capable of maintaining temperature range of at least 80 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Adjust the heater thermostat as needed and replace any heater as soon as it is found unreliable. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and warnings.

Lighting equipment also require little maintenance other than an occasional wiping and the replacing of light bulbs. An Angelfish Micro Hatchery tanks require little more than the basics when it comes to lighting. As always, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and warnings.

Filters require special attention in an Angelfish Micro Hatchery. A filter is considered "cycled" when it becomes colonized by nitrifying bacteria. Filter maintenance performed by a hobbyist importance in an Angelfish Micro Hatchery is second only to clean water and water changes. The primary objectives when cleaning are to prevent the accumulation waste in the filter while not destroying the colony of nitrifying bacteria that the filter media host. Filter media should be cleaned by rinsing in a container of tank water or conditioned replacement water only. Avoid exposing filter media to extremes in temperature and chlorinated water.

Here at the AMH we caution against cleaning filters within 24 hours of all major water changes. We consider exchanging more that 25 percent at one time as a major water change. Doing so may interrupt the nitrogen cycle by reducing the number of nitrifying bacteria colonized in the filter media. This could cause a spike in ammonia and nitrite levels or both. The presence of either can will cause Angelfish to become stressed or die. Fortunately nitrifying bacteria populations recover quickly. Major water changes may be performed 24 hours after filter cleanings.

Air pumps should be maintained as directed by the manufacturer of the appliance. Associated air and water lines and valves must be kept clean and replaced when needed.

Tools such as nets, basters, siphon tubes, algae removal pads feeding rings and water changers also must be maintained clean enough to prevent the contamination of tanks and Angelfish.
 
 

Acknowledgments

^{1. p.1 par.2-8  General Fish Health Management by Dr. Paul R. Bowser, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University Dr. Joseph K. Buttner, State University of New York, College at  Brockport}